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The Bruce Trilogy #3
The Honor Due a King
In the dawn of a kingdom, loyalties and lies collide. The truth will change England and Scotland forever.In the triumphant aftermath of Bannockburn, Robert the Bruce faces unfamiliar battles. His wife Elizabeth, held captive in England for eight long years, has finally returned home to Scotland. With his marriage in ruin and hopes for an heir quickly fading, Robert vows to fulfill an oath from long ago—one which will not only bind his daughter to a man she does not love, but challenge the honor of his most trusted knight, James Douglas.While Ireland falls to the Scots, King Edward II of England must contend with quarrelsome barons. Hugh Despenser is the one man who can give him both the loyalty and love he so desperately craves. War with France looms and Edward’s only chance at peace rests with his queen, Isabella—a woman who has every reason to seek her own revenge.Tormented by his past, James returns to a solitary, ruthless life of raiding into the north of England. When a bewitching spy promises him the ultimate victory, James must weigh whether to unveil the truth and risk losing her love—or guard his secrets and forever preserve Robert’s faith in him.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2011
85 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
About the author
N. Gemini Sasson
20 books176 followersFormer teacher and track coach. Runner, gardener, dog lover and sometimes farmer. Author of medieval historical fiction: The Crown in the Heather (The Bruce Trilogy: Book I), Worth Dying For (The Bruce Trilogy: Book II) and Isabeau, A Novel of Queen Isabella and Sir Roger Mortimer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 20, 2018
Wonderful book
This last book in the series deals with Robert the Bruce’s hard fought reign as King of Scotland. His wife gives him several children and one of them grows up to be the King. It is sad to read how a man begins to age and can’t do the things that he did when he was younger. I recommend this book to everyone.
This last book in the series deals with Robert the Bruce’s hard fought reign as King of Scotland. His wife gives him several children and one of them grows up to be the King. It is sad to read how a man begins to age and can’t do the things that he did when he was younger. I recommend this book to everyone.
October 6, 2011
I became deeply involved with the protagonists of this trilogy in the course of reading the first and second books: The Crown in the Heather and Worth Dying For. Each character, from Robert the Bruce to his arch enemy, Edward the Second, began as strangers to me but with each sentence and chapter I read, with each book I opened, they were polished, fleshed out and deepened until I could almost see them before me, see their expressions as I dipped into their hearts and minds. Yes, I fell a little in love, or perhaps it was a kind of hero worship state, with James Douglas. In The Honor Due a King, James's story continues, as does Robert's, and the interweaving stories of the people surrounding them. The Honor Due a King steps away from battles and delves more into the personal lives of our champions, which satisfied me to no end. This is a book of heart, mind, romance, tragedy and love. It's a triumphant, yet sad conclusion; by that I mean that when you become so connected to a story and its characters, you really don't want it to end.
I love a good, engaging series. This one ranks near the top.
I love a good, engaging series. This one ranks near the top.
November 3, 2011
This is as good or even better than the preceding two book in this trilogy. Everything about the lives of Robert the Bruce and James Douglas, the politics, the battles, the romance and their families is well written in the right details The poetic license with historical facts is acceptable and the story is told with a passion and depth of belief that you can imagine the character themselves having
May 18, 2020
3.5 stars. This book follows Robert the Bruce as he quests to defeat English and Scottish factions to become King of the Scots. From his younger years learning about war and politics from his grandfather to his assuming the mantle of power, this book is easy to read. This series (this is the third in the trilogy) is what I would call "history lite." It's fiction built on a skeleton framework of facts. If you're interested in this time in English and Scottish history: Edward I, Edward II, Robert the Bruce, William Wallace and more, you'll enjoy this book. Strong characters, strong plot, and good pacing...it's a real page turner.
September 1, 2017
So very sad to have the series end. I love how the story was written, with Robert the Bruce, James Douglas , and Edward II, each taking a chapter. The characters were very realistic and three dimensional. You got to know not only their manly side through the fight scenes and their heart through the way they treated each other and the ladies in their lives.
December 18, 2018
Again A Great Read!
The Bruce Trilogy Books were mesmerizing. I loved them! Real page turners. The battles between the Robert the Bruce and the Edward ll were brutal. But all war is brutal, bloody and inhumane, isn't it? But in the end the freedom fighters win! Just cause always wins even though at times it may not seem so. I highly recommend these books!
The Bruce Trilogy Books were mesmerizing. I loved them! Real page turners. The battles between the Robert the Bruce and the Edward ll were brutal. But all war is brutal, bloody and inhumane, isn't it? But in the end the freedom fighters win! Just cause always wins even though at times it may not seem so. I highly recommend these books!
December 20, 2017
Km
Great book and so true. to that time period now I will read the first of the series that's me read the last one first but I Will enjoy them both thanks for great reading ☺😀😇 posted
Great book and so true. to that time period now I will read the first of the series that's me read the last one first but I Will enjoy them both thanks for great reading ☺😀😇 posted
February 2, 2018
Enjoyed this book and the Trilogy!
April 22, 2018
I could put it down.
I cried often, loved every word. Stars up late to fin I it. Loved the whole trilogy. Scotland owes much to The Bruce.
I cried often, loved every word. Stars up late to fin I it. Loved the whole trilogy. Scotland owes much to The Bruce.
October 31, 2018
Amazing
Profound story about Robert the Bruce and James Douglas. Such affection and pride shared by them. Fabulous story of their lives and loves.
Profound story about Robert the Bruce and James Douglas. Such affection and pride shared by them. Fabulous story of their lives and loves.
May 20, 2020
A fitting end for a very enjoyable trilogy
December 1, 2011
The Honor Due a King is the final bittersweet installment of N Gemini Sasson's The Bruce Trilogy. After defeating England, Scotland is finally free. Robert is now able to be the King he dreamed of being. With his family returned to his side, he begins to rebuild Scotland. But there are problems plaguing Robert that can't be solved on a battlefield. Elizabeth shirks from Robert, and Marjorie is in love with someone other than her betrothed. Will the Scottish Crown ever be rid of its problems?
As one of Scotland's premier knights, James must obey and serve his king. But what if his heart leads him in other directions?After losing his love and his will to live, James throws himself into the service of Scotland and her king. But will James ever be free of the soldier's life?
England's peace with Scotland brought no peace for Edward II and his beloved one, Hugh Despenser. The wolves seem to be circling his heels, with the pack being led by the infamous she-wolf, Isabella. As his life unravels, Edward tries to protect not only himself, but Hugh, while bringing revenge on the heads' of his enemies.
This final book takes the heartbreak and tragedy from books one and two and delivers a haunting conclusion. Though the characters are older and wiser, they are all feeling the effect of their arduous battles. While I loved the maturity of all three narrators, I in particularly fell in love with James. Loyal to the end, he makes a perfect anti-hero.
Within the first few pages of this wonderful book, I was balling. The emotionally charged reunion will bring even the toughest of hearts to tears. Like the first two books, this book is wonderfully written, with descriptive prose and an eye for historical detail. The fever pitch action in book two slows, but the book is still fast paced. I loved not only the book, but the series. I plan on purchasing the last two books in the series in paperback so I can proudly display these books on my shelves!
As one of Scotland's premier knights, James must obey and serve his king. But what if his heart leads him in other directions?After losing his love and his will to live, James throws himself into the service of Scotland and her king. But will James ever be free of the soldier's life?
England's peace with Scotland brought no peace for Edward II and his beloved one, Hugh Despenser. The wolves seem to be circling his heels, with the pack being led by the infamous she-wolf, Isabella. As his life unravels, Edward tries to protect not only himself, but Hugh, while bringing revenge on the heads' of his enemies.
This final book takes the heartbreak and tragedy from books one and two and delivers a haunting conclusion. Though the characters are older and wiser, they are all feeling the effect of their arduous battles. While I loved the maturity of all three narrators, I in particularly fell in love with James. Loyal to the end, he makes a perfect anti-hero.
Within the first few pages of this wonderful book, I was balling. The emotionally charged reunion will bring even the toughest of hearts to tears. Like the first two books, this book is wonderfully written, with descriptive prose and an eye for historical detail. The fever pitch action in book two slows, but the book is still fast paced. I loved not only the book, but the series. I plan on purchasing the last two books in the series in paperback so I can proudly display these books on my shelves!
July 5, 2016
$3.99 – 3.5 stars
Now that Robert the Bruce is more than just the King of Scotland in name, it is up to him to continue to keep the peace, settle disputes, and conquer border uprisings as they occur. His wife, Elizabeth, is now back from eight years of imprisonment, but they don’t really know each other anymore. They both have been through so much. Robert continues to rely on James Douglas, and soon King Robert marries his only daughter to Walter Stewart, fulfilling a long-ago promise he made to his father. Still he wonders about an heir…
This story continues right where book #2 of this trilogy left off, and like the other two books, it is told from the POV of King Robert, James Douglas, and Edward II. England continues to attack Scotland, but Edward II does not have the cunning of his father, let alone the loyalty of his barons and soon the country is in great peril. In the meantime France is looking to England… And Queen Isabella is seeking revenge of her own.
King Robert wants to keep Scotland peaceful and serve his people, keeping them loyal to him by keeping his word, while Edward II wants revenge on anyone and everyone who has crossed them, including Royal nobles and relatives. The two men could not have been more different, and it makes a great story, much of which is true.
Now that Robert the Bruce is more than just the King of Scotland in name, it is up to him to continue to keep the peace, settle disputes, and conquer border uprisings as they occur. His wife, Elizabeth, is now back from eight years of imprisonment, but they don’t really know each other anymore. They both have been through so much. Robert continues to rely on James Douglas, and soon King Robert marries his only daughter to Walter Stewart, fulfilling a long-ago promise he made to his father. Still he wonders about an heir…
This story continues right where book #2 of this trilogy left off, and like the other two books, it is told from the POV of King Robert, James Douglas, and Edward II. England continues to attack Scotland, but Edward II does not have the cunning of his father, let alone the loyalty of his barons and soon the country is in great peril. In the meantime France is looking to England… And Queen Isabella is seeking revenge of her own.
King Robert wants to keep Scotland peaceful and serve his people, keeping them loyal to him by keeping his word, while Edward II wants revenge on anyone and everyone who has crossed them, including Royal nobles and relatives. The two men could not have been more different, and it makes a great story, much of which is true.
January 30, 2012
I would go more 2.5.
I really like that it changes perspectives with the chapters so that the reader gets the full picture of what is going on, and this is a time period I normally enjoy reading.
While I see the potential in the characters, I did not feel like I really attached to any of them. I started really liking Majorie, Maybe this would have been improved if I had read the first two books in the series.
I felt like some parts could have gone more in-depth so that readers could have better bonded with some of the characters. It just seemed like more details could have been used in general to let the reader escape back to that time.
I definitely would not say that I did not like the book, but at the same time I did not really like it either. It just seemed like one depressing occurrence after another. With history, there is no way around that sometimes.
If you like the time period and the history, you will probably enjoy it more than I did since Sasson does put a more creative spin on the story. Just do not expect to feel happy with the characters while reading it (because they will not be for the most part).
I really like that it changes perspectives with the chapters so that the reader gets the full picture of what is going on, and this is a time period I normally enjoy reading.
While I see the potential in the characters, I did not feel like I really attached to any of them. I started really liking Majorie, Maybe this would have been improved if I had read the first two books in the series.
I felt like some parts could have gone more in-depth so that readers could have better bonded with some of the characters. It just seemed like more details could have been used in general to let the reader escape back to that time.
I definitely would not say that I did not like the book, but at the same time I did not really like it either. It just seemed like one depressing occurrence after another. With history, there is no way around that sometimes.
If you like the time period and the history, you will probably enjoy it more than I did since Sasson does put a more creative spin on the story. Just do not expect to feel happy with the characters while reading it (because they will not be for the most part).
June 21, 2012
Poof! Like that, the little sympathy I may have had for Edward II while reading book 2 of this trilogy, it evaporated instantly while reading The Honor Due a King. The difference between King Edward II and Robert the Bruce King of Scotland is vast. Edward II felt that he never got the respect and honor due a king. "I, who have done nothing wrong but be something less than my sire." Disinterested, unable to rule his kingdom wisely, Edward II never earned the honor due a king.
Robert the Bruce, on the other hand, earned that honor by inspiring his followers, people of Scotland toward a unified country free of English oppression and rule. It comes down to the difference in how both men lived and what they lived for, to gain that honor due a king.
Sasson brought this period in Scotland's history to life in a way that I got very attached to certain characters and people. There were many scenes that required huge amounts of kleenex. I'm still recovering. Excellent trilogy.
Robert the Bruce, on the other hand, earned that honor by inspiring his followers, people of Scotland toward a unified country free of English oppression and rule. It comes down to the difference in how both men lived and what they lived for, to gain that honor due a king.
Sasson brought this period in Scotland's history to life in a way that I got very attached to certain characters and people. There were many scenes that required huge amounts of kleenex. I'm still recovering. Excellent trilogy.
September 24, 2016
The Honor Due a King: A story of two kings and their ends
This is the third book in the Robert the Bruce Trilogy. Throughout this trilogy, the main characters have been Robert the Bruce, king of Scotland, James Douglas, his closest comrade in arms, and King Edward the 2nd of England. All three of these men are portrayed as heroes, but trageic and fallen men as well. This book tells of their last few years, and how they all died in the end, one of disease, one of treachery and grief, and one in battle. I found all of these books entertaining and, as far as I can tell, accurate. I recommend them all to anyone with an interest in Scottish or English history.
This is the third book in the Robert the Bruce Trilogy. Throughout this trilogy, the main characters have been Robert the Bruce, king of Scotland, James Douglas, his closest comrade in arms, and King Edward the 2nd of England. All three of these men are portrayed as heroes, but trageic and fallen men as well. This book tells of their last few years, and how they all died in the end, one of disease, one of treachery and grief, and one in battle. I found all of these books entertaining and, as far as I can tell, accurate. I recommend them all to anyone with an interest in Scottish or English history.
June 5, 2015
I simply could not put this book down! Knowing what was going to happen in the end made it hard, but it was a super book! This is the final chapter of Sasson's trilogy about Robert the Bruce, James Douglas, and King Edward II of England. Telling if from 3 different characters' point-of-view must have been very difficult for the writer, but she did an excellent job. I even felt sorry for King Edward and how he was treated in the end, even though he did terrible things to the Scotland. I fully intend on reading all of Sasson's historical fiction novels in the near future!
March 4, 2012
I was so sorry to finish this, the third of the Robert the Bruce series. It was as excellent as the previous two novels. Sasson exhibits great skill in making history come to life, from horrendously graphic battle scenes to the most tender love scenes. Her characters are rich and believable. I highly recommend this series about three fascinating and very different men: Robert the Bruce, James Douglas, and Edward II of England.
July 22, 2016
Ah, 4.5 stars. Very well written. Well-defined and vibrant writing — considering how murky historical fiction literature can be when dealing with so many characters, titles, countries, wars, and OMG…the tangled blood relations that are beyond what we would consider a complicated family tree these days.
If it wasn't for another author, Sharon Penman, being the master storyteller of this genre, I would easily have rated it 5 stars.
(This is the third and last book of the "The Bruce Trilogy.")
If it wasn't for another author, Sharon Penman, being the master storyteller of this genre, I would easily have rated it 5 stars.
(This is the third and last book of the "The Bruce Trilogy.")
January 29, 2014
I enjoyed this trilogy well enough. As a Scot, I am fascinated with Robert The Bruce. The author's choice to switch back and forth between Robert the Bruce, James Campbell and Edward II was interesting and helped keep the Reader informed of what was going on personally and politically at the same time with each character.
This was a comfortable read, perfect for an snowy afternoon, but not as well researched as some... Nigel Trantor, Elizabeth Chadwick, Philippa Gregory come to mind.
This was a comfortable read, perfect for an snowy afternoon, but not as well researched as some... Nigel Trantor, Elizabeth Chadwick, Philippa Gregory come to mind.
October 8, 2016
The last of a trilogy
So comes to an end the story of probably Scotland's greatest king. A story part truth, part fiction but one that shows the king with all his weaknesses as well ad strengths. The author successfully brings these well known characters in Scotland's past and allows us into their lives whilst giving a glimpse of what Scotland was like in the early years of her hard won independence.
So comes to an end the story of probably Scotland's greatest king. A story part truth, part fiction but one that shows the king with all his weaknesses as well ad strengths. The author successfully brings these well known characters in Scotland's past and allows us into their lives whilst giving a glimpse of what Scotland was like in the early years of her hard won independence.
September 8, 2012
This is #3 is Sasson's trilogy about Robert the Bruce. It is excellent. I got so wrapped up in the characters. Unfortunately, I got confused and read this book before reading #2 in the trilogy. Lesson: when downloading a whole series to a Kindle, download #3 first, then #2, etc. That way, on the Home Page, they will be listed in their proper order, #1, #2, #3, etc.
May 22, 2012
A nice wrapping up of the trilogy. Not quite as compelling for me as the first two books, but Sasson tied up all the loose ends. This is a more feminine book than the first two, focusing on the loves of James Douglas while the cockpit of kingdoms serves as a background rather than the main plot.
October 27, 2012
This was such a great series I hate for it to end. This series combined with the two-part series on Isabella and Simon de Montfort make a wonderful 5 book package.. I cannot wait to read more from this author.
May 28, 2013
I first thought Book 1 was the best, but this one topped it. I so enjoyed this and am glad I tried this author. I recommend reading all three. Although each one could be read on its own, the whole story unfolds in sequence.
December 16, 2013
4.5 stars
A well written trilogy about Robert the Bruce and those around him during his fight for the Scotland crown and his reign as King. Sasson does a wonderful job of building these fascinating people and you really feel as though you know them.
A well written trilogy about Robert the Bruce and those around him during his fight for the Scotland crown and his reign as King. Sasson does a wonderful job of building these fascinating people and you really feel as though you know them.
November 29, 2011
I really enjoyed the development and contrast of these three men. although fiction, I learned a lot about Robert the Bruce, his enemies, his allies and their battle for Scotlands freedom.
July 12, 2012
Dragged at the end....but a good read
March 7, 2013
My favorite of the trilogy, and also probably the most historically inaccurate, though not terribly so.
January 6, 2013
I enjoyed this thrid book as much as I enjoyed the first two in this trilogy. The characters draw you in and keep you turning pages. Worth your time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews